Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for rat returned 495 results.

prev | items
| next

SINGING, DANCING, AND CLAPPING GAME

A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, SEA, SEA.
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE, SEE, SEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP, BLUE, SEA, SEA, SEA.
A SAILOR WENT TO CHOP, CHOP, CHOP.
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE CHOP, CHOP, CHOP,
A SAILOR WENT TO KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD KNEE, KNEE, KNEE,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE KNEE, KNEE, KNEE.
A SAILOR WENT TO OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD OOH-WHAT-YOU-COT,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT.
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEA, CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT,
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP, BLUE, SEA,
CHOP, KNEE, OOH-WHAT-CHEW-COT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching

Date learned: 11-00-1974

View just this record

OLD SAYINGS

IF YOU DROP A KNIFE A MAN IS COMING
IF YOU DROP A FORK A WOMAN IS COMING
IF YOU DROP A SPOON A CHILD IS COMING
PERHAPS THE MAN COMING HUMMING
PERHAPS THE WOMAN BECOMING LOVING
PERHAPS THE CHILD COMING STUMBLING.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HOME TOWN DURING HER ADOLESCENT STAGE.
THIS OLD SAYING IS A VERSE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN AN OBJECT AND THE FORETELLING OF THE FUTURE.
THE INFORMANT WASN'T SURE WHETHER THIS COULD BE {A} SONG OR NOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.860
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 00001930'S

View just this record

JUMP-ROPE RHYME

SHALL I TELL YOU A STORY
ABOUT JACK AND HIS GLORY?
SHALL I BEGIN IT?
THAT'S ALL THAT'S IN IT.

SHALL I TELL YOU ANOTHER
ABOUT JACK AND HIS BROTHER?
SHALL I BEGIN IT?
THAT'S ALL THAT'S IN IT.

Submitter comment: THIS IS RECITED IN TWO PARTS AS SHOWN BY THE BREAK I PUT IN BETWEEN.
THE FIRST JUMPER ENTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST PART AND EXITS
AT THE END OF IT. THE SECOND JUMPER DOES THE SAME THING FOR THE
SECOND PART.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SAINT CLAIR

James Callow Keyword(s): JACK-A-NORY ; NUTSHELL NARRATIVE IN VERSE

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.560 BB C82

Date learned: 00001960S

View just this record

AUTOGRAPH

MAY YOUR LIFE BE A SUCCESSION OF SUCCESSIVE SUCCESSES.

Submitter comment: FROM AUTOGRAPH BOOK KEPT IN DETROIT, 1960

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Good wishes (sincere)
Z210

Date learned: 11-00-1973

View just this record

JUMP-ROPE RHYME

I'M A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL DRESSED IN BLUE
HERE ARE THE THINGS I LIKE TO DO
WHISTLE TO THE CAPTAIN,
CURTSY TO THE QUEEN,
TURN MY BACK ON A SUBMARINE
I CAN TO THE HOOTCHIE-COO
I CAN DO THE FLIP
I CAN DO THEM JUST LIKE THIS

Submitter comment: WHEN THE JUMPER SAYS "JUST LIKE THIS," SHE JUMPS OUT.
A VARIANT OF THE FIRST TWO LINES IS:
I'M A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL DRESSED IN GREEN
HERE ARE THE THINGS I THINK ARE KEEN

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 09-00-1973

View just this record

PROVERB

TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor
PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 09-00-1973

View just this record

FLYLEAF VERSE

I PITY THE RIVER, I PITY THE BROOK, I PITY THE CROOK
WHO STEALS MY BOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Wisecracks, Gags, Silly Insults

Date learned: 09-00-1973

View just this record

I HAD A DREAM ONE NIGHT THAT I WAS HUNTING WITH MY BROTHER IN THE
WOODS. HE WAS ABOUT 100 YARDS AHEAD OF ME WHEN I SAW HIM STUMBLE AND
THEN A SPIRIT GOT OUT OF HIS BODY, WAVED TO ME, THEN DISAPPEARED IN
THE WOODS. THEN I WOKE UP. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE HUNTING IN THE
SAME WOODS WITH MY NEPHEW, I RECEIVED WORD THAT MY BROTHER HAD DIED
ONLY A MILE FROM WHERE WE WERE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death

Date learned: 10-29-1972

View just this record

WHILE HITCHHIKING IN 1936, WE WERE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE HAD GOTTEN
A RIDE FROM A FARMER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE US ON THE OPEN ROAD. MY
FRIEND AND I DECIDED TO REST ON A BLUFF WHERE WE COULD SEE IF ANY
CARS WERE COMING. WE WERE THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN WE HEARD FOOTSTEPS.
THE MOON WAS FULL AND WE WERE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY ON THE
ROAD. AN OLD MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD US. AFTER EXCHANGING GREETINGS,
HE ASKED IF WE WERE HUNGRY. HE THEN OFFERED US A COCONUT HE GOT
FROM A FARMER. HE SLOWLY WALKED AWAY AND DISAPPEARED FROM OUR SIGHT.
I CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE BLUFF ONLY TO FIND A CEMETERY. SCARED,
WE WENT TO THE ROAD AND HITCHED A RIDE TO A DINER. THERE THE SHERIFF
WAS DESCRIBING AN OLD MAN, THE ONE WE MET. HE HAD BEEN DEAD FOR
FOUR WEEKS. WHEN WE HEARD THIS, WE FAINTED. AFTER TELLING WHAT
HAPPENED TO THE SHERIFF, HE TOLD US THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IT
HAD HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-29-1972

View just this record

WHISTLING

YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO WHISTLE IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE IT IS
CALLING THE DEVIL

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-03-1972

View just this record

NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE

A RHYME RECITED WHILE JUMPING ROPE. NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT
BEFORE/ TWENTY-FOUR ROBBERS CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR/ AS I WENT OUT,
THEY CAME IN/ HIT ME OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROLLING PIN/ THIS IS WHAT
THEY SAID TO ME/ SPANISH DANCER TURN ALL AROUND/ SPANISH DANCER
TOUCH THE GROUND/ SPANISH DANCER DO THE SPLITS/ SPANISH DANCER GIVE A
HIGH KICK/ SPANISH DANCER GET OUT OF TOWN/ BEFORE THE SUN GOES
DOWN, DOWN, DOWN/

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 10-30-1972

View just this record

MORTUARY SLOGANS

I, AT ONE TIME DELIVERED FLOWERS FOR A FLORIST
AS A PART-TIME JOB,
DURING WHICH TIME I RAN ACROSS A NUMBER OF MORTUARY SLOGANS. "YOU
STAB 'EM, WE SLAB 'EM."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.537
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.400
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 10-30-1972

View just this record

MORTUARY SLOGANS

I, AT ONE TIME DELIVERED FLOWERS FOR A FLORIST AS A
PART-TIME JOB,
DURING WHICH TIME I RAN ACROSS A NUMBER OF MORTUARY SLOGANS.
"BETTER BODIES BY K AND S." THE FUNERAL HOME WHERE I GOT THIS
SLOGAN IS THE KARRER-SIMPSON FUNERAL HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 10-30-1972

View just this record

MORTUARY SLOGANS

THE INFORMANT AT ONE TIME DELIVERED FLOWERS FOR A }
FLORIST AS A PART-TIME
JOB, DURING WHICH TIME HE RAN ACROSS A NUMBER OF
MORTUARY SLOGANS. "YOU KILL 'EM, WE CHILL 'EM."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON

James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.537
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.400
PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 10-30-1972

View just this record

BELIEF

IF YOU WEAR A RAG SATURATED WITH HUMAN SWEAT IT WILL CURE ACNE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GIRL FRIENDS AT SCHOOL AND DOES NOT
HOLD IT TO BE TRUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

James Callow Keyword(s): PERSPIRATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 09-18-1972

View just this record

GOOD BREAD, GOOD MEAT, LETS EAT.

Submitter comment: A MOCK PRAYER USUALLY SAID BY LITTLE CHILDREN.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech

Date learned: 00001960S EARLY

View just this record

VERSE

FATHER MOSES KILLED A SKUNK, MOTHER MOSES COOKED THE SKUNK,
BABY MOSES ATE THE SKUNK, HOLY MOSES! HOW THEY STUNK!

Submitter comment: THIS ENTRY INTO THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WAS SIGNED BY CONNIE
KEYSE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

James Callow Keyword(s): FINAL ITERATION ; RHYME: AAAA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse

Date learned: 06-09-1944

View just this record

BEDTIME PRAYER

IN GOTT'S NAMEN, SCHLAFEN GINGEN,
VIERTEHN ENGEL MIT MIR GINGEN
ZWEI ZU KOPF, ZWEI ZU FUSSE,
ZWEI ZU MEINER RECHTE SEITE,
ZWEI ZU MEINER LINKE SEITE,
ZWEI ZU MICH DECKEN,
ZWEI ZU MICH WECKEN,
ZWEI ZU MICH WEISEN,
IN DIE HIMMLICH PARADIESEN.
GOING TO SLEEP IN GOD'S NAME,
WITH FOURTEEN ANGELS GOING WITH ME,
TWO AT MY HEAD, TWO AT MY FEET,
TWO AT MY RIGHT SIDE,
TWO AT MY LEFT SIDE,
TWO TO COVER ME,
TWO TO WAKE ME,
TWO TO SHOW ME INTO
THE HEAVENLY PARADISE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT TELLS THAT THIS PRAYER HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN IN HER FAMILY
FROM MOTHER TO CHILD FOR MANY GENERATIONS.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION GERMAN

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 09-10-1972

View just this record

KILMA TOAST

NOWHERE ARE THE WOMEN SO DIVINE AS IN VIRGINIA
NOWHERE ARE THE MEN SO REFINED AS IN VIRGINIA.
COMMENT - THERE IS MORE BUT COULDN'T BE REMEMBERED; SUPPOSED TO BE
QUITE BEAUTIFUL

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK

James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION FINAL ITERATION

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech

Date learned: 11-27-1972

View just this record

Proverb

TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HEARD THIS MANY TIMES ON THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED
STATES IN THE 1940S

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

James Callow Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ASSONANCE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 09-14-1972

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top